DRUNKEN CONFESSION

Golden lanterns cast their soft light over the courtyard, spilling in waves of molten amber upon the sea of nobility dressed in silks. Mei Xing fidgeted, adjusting the jade hairpin in her updo.

"Stop that," Chuchui scolded, slapping Mei Xing's hands away. "You look stunning. The General won't be able to tear his eyes from you!"

Mei Xing snorted. "He barely looks at me unless he has to."

Chuchui grinned. "Oh, believe me. He looks when you're not paying attention."

Before Mei Xing could argue, a voice cut in. "My lady, the General is waiting outside."

Mei Xing turned to see Cai Wei standing at the doorway, looking far too amused.

"Let's get this over with," she muttered, gathering her skirts and stepping outside.

She almost faltered when she saw Xiao Hong.

Clad in his ceremonial general's robes, he looked every inch the war hero people whispered about. His long hair was tied neatly with a jade crown, and the dark embroidery of his robe only made his presence more imposing.

"You're staring," he noted dryly.

Mei Xing lifted her chin. "So are you."

For once, he didn't have a retort. Instead, he simply offered his arm.

"Let's go, wife."

The palace was filled with laughter and conversation upon their arrival. The ministers and the noblewomen whispered behind their fans, sending curious glances towards the newlywed couple.

"General Xiao does seem quite enchanted with his wife," one said in a low murmur.

Another snorted. "Preposterous. It's mere duty. A warrior- certainly not a romantic."

Mei Xing had heard them, but she would just ignore that. What could it matter?

Suddenly, the voice of the Emperor sounded within the hall, "Ah, General Xiao! And his belle wife!"

People parted as Emperor Fu Lin gestured for them to surge forward.

"Your Majesty," Xiao Hong immediately bowed.

Mei Xing, acting similarly, cast her eyes on the floor to act modestly.

The Emperor's sharp eyes cut into them. "Good to see the best of my generals that a woman stands beside him. I hope everything between them goes well-pleasantly?"

Mei Xing curbed her urge to look at Xiao Hong. She wasn't very sure that "pleasantly" could be the correct term to explain whatever it was they had.

Xiao Hong, always calm and collected, spoke, "My wife is strong-willed, but she is learning."

Mei Xing tried a forced smile. "I am so honored to be on the General's side, Your Majesty."

The Emperor chuckled. "Good, good." He raised his cup. "Let us drink to a prosperous union!

Mei Xing barely had raised her cup when she heard a familiar voice--one that soured her stomach.

"Sister! I was hoping I'd see you here!"

She straightened. Ha Rin.

She turned, and indeed, there her younger stepsister stood, in an elegant pink gown and a too sweet smile on the lips.

The stepmother of hers, clung to an arm of one nobleman at her side while her expression became pleased.

It stiffened in Xiao Hong as the memory remained fresh of that last meeting that had taken place.

Mei Xing afforded courtesy smiles, "Ha Rin. I hadn't known you'd be attending."

Ha Rin huffed in amusement. "Of course, Your Highness! The Emperor showed such favor when inviting the relations of Duke Mingling. Why, one couldn't have overlooked your blood relation, could you?"

Mei Xing clutched onto her cup tight.

Madam Wei sighed dramatically. "It has been so lonely without you at home, Mei Xing. If only you could come more often. We miss you so much."

Standing behind Xiao Hong, Cai Wei muttered under his breath, "Miss her? More likely miss her money."

Chuchui snorted into her sleeve.

Xiao Hong put a hand on Mei Xing's back, voice even-tempered with only a slight tang of hardness. "My wife is still quite busy acclimating to life. I somehow doubt she'd have any extraneous time on her hands."

Ha Rin smiled pouting. "Surely she didn't forget from which root her name was formed."

Mei Xing expelled a long breath. "I haven't. But I do have a new home now."

For one instant, the smile on Madam Wei's face faltered before she smoothed her expression over. "Of course, dear. We only want the best for you."

Xiao Hong's eyes flashed stormily. "Then I'm sure you won't mind keeping your distance."

The air was thick with hostility. Ha Rin's mouth parted in surprise, and even Madam Wei could not quite mask her disgust.

She bit back the urge to smile.

Just as things could get any worse, a eunuch stepped forward. "Your Majesty, the performances are ready."

The Emperor clapped his hands. "Wonderful! Let us enjoy the evening!"

As music filled the hall, Xiao Hong leaned down to Mei Xing's ear. "Are you alright?"

She blinked, surprised by the question. "Yes."

His lips curved slightly. "Good."

And for the first time that night, Mei Xing felt really safe.

"General, another drink!"

Xiao Hong heaved a quiet sigh as Minister Gao shoved another cup of wine into his hands. Tonight's palace banquet had stretched well into the night, and most officials were deep into their cups.

Mei Xing was watching something far more amusing, though.

Chuchui and Cai Wei sat at one of the side tables, both drunk from sipping too much wine.

"You are-hic-terrible at poetry," Chuchui slurred, fumbling with a piece of parchment.

Cai Wei frowned. "I am a man of many talents!"

"Then why—hic—does this poem sound like a chicken wrote it?"

"It's metaphorical!"

"It's atrocious!"

Mei Xing clamped a hand over her mouth to keep from giggling.

Xiao Hong raised an eyebrow, following the direction of her gesture. "What is funny?"

She pointed to the other side of the room. "Them. Completely shameless."

Xiao Hong turned back around, seeing that Cai Wei was trying to dramatically recite poetry, but Chuchui was tossing rice at him.

".You are right.".

Mei Xing grinned. "Never thought I would live to see the day when you agree with me."

He leaned an inch closer in. "Don't get used to it."

She rolled her eyes, but inside, her heartbeat skipped just a little bit at his proximity.

just maybe this forced marriage wouldn't be bad after all.